One of the most energetic, enterprising and successful business men of Wenona and of Marshall county is Fred A. VAUGHN, secretary and treasurer of the A. H. Hill Lumber Company, and although he is yet a young man the financial and commercial history of this locality would be incomplete and unsatisfactory without a personal and somewhat extended mention of him, for he is a typical representative of the spirit of modern progress and belongs to that class of representative American citizens who, while advancing individual interests, also promote the general welfare. Born in Wenona, March 17, 1876, he is a son of Isaac and Maria J. (WILLIS) VAUGHN, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New Jersey. The father came to the west prior to the Civil war, arriving at Magnolia, Illinois, about 1855. He afterward removed to Wenona and was here living at the time of the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south. Believing in the justice of the Union cause, he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. His company was largely made up of men from Wenona and Osage and the command was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and in various important battles which led up to the final victorious result, in all of which Mr. VAUGHN participated. He was captured with his regiment at the battle of Hartsville, but was afterward exchanged. He served as a first lieutenant of his company and when Captain SOUTHWELL, his superior officer, was wounded he was made acting captain, having charge of the company until Captain SOUTHWELL was again able to resume command. After the close of the war Mr. VAUGHN returned to Wenona and during the political campaign that followed he was nominated and elected county treasurer of Marshall county, in which office he served for two terms, making a creditable record. He was the first mayor of Wenona and did much toward organizing the city and placing its interests upon a safe, substantial basis. He was also engaged in the drug business with his old captain, Mr. SOUTHWELL, for a number of years and figured very prominently in the public life and business interests of the town. He died in 1904 and is still survived by his widow. In their family were two sons and two daughters : Cora, the wife of L. M. BAYNE, of Ottawa, Illinois; Alice, the wife of A. H. HILL; Ralph, a druggist of Wenona; and Fred A. The last named, at the usual age, entered the public schools and passed through successive grades until he had completed the high school course. He then attended the Wesleyan College at Bloomington, Illinois, and after the completion of his education became connected with the lumber trade at Lostant, Illinois, in 1899. Subsequently he was at Ottawa in the same line of business and on the 1st of July, 1904, he was made secretary and treasurer of the A. H. Hill Lumber Company at Wenona. This company is now controlling one of the largest lumber enterprises in this section of the state and the business is constantly growing. Mr. VAUGHN is a factor in its success, being a young man of marked enterprise, keen business discrimination and unfaltering industry. Already he has gained a notable place in commercial circles and one does not need the gift of prophecy to predict a still more successful future, because his qualifications are such as insure success in the world.
Extracted June 2011 by Norma Hass from
Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties
| Bureau Putnam La Salle | |||
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| Peoria | Woodford | ||
